page_title: Islamic Society of Boston
section_title: Building project
hierarchical_section_title: Islamic Society of Boston / Building project
caption_attribution_description: Islamic Society of Boston, Boston, MA
context_page_description: The Islamic Society of Boston is a mosque and cultural center for Muslims in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The ISB offers daily, weekly and annual programs for Muslims including Arabic and English classes on religious and secular topics as well as a religious school for children and holiday programs. The society also organizes trips and summer camps for children and classes on Islam for new and non-Muslims. The Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center is a related mosque and cultural center in Roxbury, Boston.
context_section_description: In the summer of 2009, the ISB opened a new building in Roxbury, called the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center, on land purchased from the city of Boston adjoining the campus of Roxbury Community College. The ISB agreed to compensate the city for some of the cost of the land through community service by donating books to and sponsoring lectures about Islam for the college, as well as a 10-year agreement to maintain local parks; in exchange they were able to purchase land valued at $401,187 for $175,000. The building project was surrounded by controversy, such as concerns about the land purchase deal and the dual role of Boston Redevelopment Authority Deputy Director Mohammad Ali-Salaam as both the official overseeing and managing the sale on behalf of the city, and principal fundraiser for the Islamic Society of Boston. Issues related to the legality of the sale and the public's access to information surrounding the sale were the subject of two lawsuits, both of which have failed. The facility can accommodate 3000 individuals in its sanctuary, includes an Islamic school for children, an Islamic library, a morgue with burial preparation facilities, administrative offices, a media center, store, a women's gymnasium, a kitchen, a hall for events, and an underground parking garage. Opening events included an interfaith breakfast with appearances by Boston mayor Thomas Menino and the local heads of many Christian denominations, as well as a Muslim congressional representative.
caption: Islamic Society of Boston mosque in Roxbury
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